First Pony

[FirstPony]

We are in the process of looking for our first pony for our 9 year old. She’s been at the riding school since she was 4 and the obsession has only deepened. I’ve been learning to ride as well this last year and really enjoyed it myself. The pony will be kept on a small friendly full livery yard that are happy to guide us as we learn. I was thinking of doing a course about pony care as well. I’ve picked up a lot over the last five years but am clearly still very much so new.

We will be bringing our instructor with us this weekend to view ponies and largely the decision will be hers as to which is suitable for DD. I am putting together my own list of questions and I wondered what questions would people ask of the current owners? Any help gratefully received!

Firstly ensure you are really reading between the lines on the advert and what you are going to see is appropriate in the first place.

Secondly ensure you are being realistic about your daughter’s ability. She may be keen but in real terms will still be very novice. Even a bog standard quiet PC pony will probably have a bit more about it than an RS pony. (If nothing else because they just do a lot more work).
It’s probably better she’s a bit bored and wishing she could do more than something that is even a tiny bit too much for her.

I’d just make sure the pony does everything you need, if your daughter wants to ride in open spaces, ask to see it trotted calmly in a field for example.
If you want to travel, ask to see it load, ask to see it handled by a child (not yours) before making yours the sacrifice.

If it’s done pony club preciously, would the DC give it a refencence?

Id ask to see it ridden in all three paces on a reasonably long rein. I’m looking for a friend currently and it’s so hard to tell how stuff moves when not allowed to travel.

its a minefield out there with a lot of not very scrupulous sellers even if childrens ponies sadly, taking your instructor and using a full livery yard is a great idea. Very best of luck and I hope your daughter has many many happy years with her pony

Your instructor will be your lead here, but things like any history of laminitis, if they need restricted grazing, how they are in a herd, can they be the last one in from the field/left in if the others are out, do they get nappy at shows/hacking/schooling alone. Important for costs and because on a livery yard they'll have to fit in with the yards timetable and routine.

Also absolutely agree with the PP that you're after a total dope on a rope...an own pony feels like A LOT compared to a riding school pony.

Excellent advice above. I'd echo that you want a pony to teach you and your DD the ropes rather than vice versa, so I'd want to see evidence of the pony doing or having done everything you're going to do with him/her, so yes for e.g. being ridden in an open space by a novice child, or out and about at shows - even if they can't demo everything for you on the viewing (obviously can't usually summon up a show to order), these days most proud parents have thousands of pictures and videos of their kids with their ponies so they should be able to show you without hesitation. And definitely go with something that seems if possible a little too quiet and steady rather than on the edge of her ability to handle - it's much easier to razz up a quiet pony than calm down a whizzy one!

A trick I always also do is ask what the pony does when s/he's naughty or spooked, note not if, when, because all ponies will be sometimes, so if the answer is 'oh no he's an angel, he's never put a foot wrong', I'm highly suspicious! Whereas if they say something you know you can manage like gets a bit nappy or looky, then that's a great sign.

Ask about the pony's usual routine too, again if possible you want something that matches as closely as possible what yours will be, some ponies are very sensitive to changes like going from lots of turnout to stabled overnight (or vice versa) or from busy livery yard to small quiet private yard (or vice versa). Doesn't mean you won't have a settling in period of course but mitigate against risk...

When did it last have its teeth done, when were its last routine vaccinations - gives you an idea of how much care has been taken of the pony. You can of course check this with its usual vet as well, but the answers can be enlightening.

What is its usual feed - also gives you an idea of the care level, and may give you a hint of any metabolic or digestive issues.

Check you can pick up all four feet easily - gives you an idea of ease of handling and whether the pony is sore on any foot, as well as giving you a closer look at any hoof issues.

See how it reacts when you reach a hand out gently towards its face. Many horses are head shy without other problems, but you don’t necessarily want that for DC.

Run your hand along its back and up and down its legs, from a safe position, to see if it reacts at any particular point or dislikes being touched generally.

If it is already tacked up when you arrive, ask to see it tacked up again to look for discomfort or resistance.

Rudely arrive 10 mins early, with appropriate apologies, in case it has been heavily lunged just before your arrival.

See if it knows that a carrot is a treat - a pony which has had a history of being ridden by children will happily take a carrot, whereas one that has been living out and is green-broken will be less likely to recognise it.

You’ve all been wonderfully helpful - thank you! If anyone thinks of any more or any settling in advice for the pony please do say. Thanks again!

Arrive 30 minutes early so that you can see the pony caught and brought in.
Make sure that the seller has a smallish child to ride said pony (at all paces and over jumps) before your daughter gets on.
Try the pony in an arena, in a large grass field, and out hacking.
Let your daughter lead the pony, groom it, pick up its hooves, and see how the pony responds.
Your instructor will be able to tell if its suitable for her riding-wise, but your daughter needs to be able to handle it safely by herself. I would not buy any pony, let alone one for a child, that is poorly behaved when handled.
Find out who their vet is, and use a different vet practice to do a 5* vetting.

Today is the day we go see the pony! Would people recommend two stage or five stage vetting. Horsey friends have said they only do five stage for a competition pony. But also they have far more money than us!

Five stage as you’re not that experienced - and make sure the vet is very clear the pony needs to be suitable as a child’s first pony. Explain what you want to do with the pony and anything that you have questions about following the viewing. People talk about horses passing or failing a vetting but what the vet actually says is ‘in my opinion, this horse is suitable/not suitable for the intended purpose’.

5 stage pretty standard these days - do you not want to insure for loss of use? If you do you pretty much need a 5 stage vetting for most insurers if I remember correctly (some want x rays as well although probably only if worth £10k+ ). Otherwise you may get away with 2 stage but TBH the price difference really isn't that much in the scale of horse ownership so most people do go with the 5 stage.

5 stage definitely.

She wasn’t the one. She was absolutely perfect being caught and tacked up. Once DD was in the arena with her she just wouldn’t go. DD was really after her and even with the instructor chasing them round getting a trot out of her was an effort.

Oh that’s a shame. It can take a long time to find a suitable pony so don’t give up hope.

At least now you have a better idea of what to expect, and what you're looking for :)

Ah sorry to hear that. Horse/pony shopping is fun but you do frequently have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find 'the one'. So great when you do though!

Well done you for not buying the wrong one :) Ponies can be like puppies - it can be very hard to walk away.